Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT is offering extra service for the holiday week, including on New Year’s Eve, to give customers more travel options for ringing in 2017, shopping at the mall or leaving work early.
In addition, NJ TRANSIT is continuing their savings plans through a special extension of the Family SuperSaver Fare, which allows up to two children between the ages of 5 and 11 to travel free with each fare-paying customer. Up to three children age 4 and under can also travel free with a fare-paying customer. Usually limited to weekends, the Family SuperSaver Fare is now in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday, January 3, on all trains, buses and light rail lines.
“This is the time of year when so many special events take place and many visitors are using NJ TRANSIT to get where they need to go,’’ said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Steven H. Santoro. “NJ TRANSIT is pleased to offer the Family SuperSaver Fare, which allows our customers to stretch their holiday budgets just a bit. So leave the car behind and use NJ TRANSIT to go the mall, get into New York City or gather at a loved one’s home without the hassle of driving.’’
For complete schedule and fare information, customers may visit njtransit.com and click on the Holiday Early Getaway Service marquee or call 973-275-5555.
A new, key feature to aid customers this holiday season is “The Commuter Tool Kit – The Tools You Need for a Better Travel Experience,’’ a colorful campaign designed for both the everyday commuter and visitor travelling on NJ TRANSIT’s rail, bus, light rail and Access Link systems. Several features such as the mobile app, trip planner, ticket purchase options, travel information and travel savings are highlighted in the campaign. The brochure is printed in both English and Spanish.
The Commuter Tool Kit is available in brochure form and on the NJ TRANSIT website, in digital displays and delivered through the agency’s social media channels.
Customers can also take advantage of other ways to save money. NJ TRANSIT works with promotional partners throughout the year to offer discounts to many entertainment venues. Customers can go to njtransit.com/deals for special offers on show tickets, admission costs and travel this holiday season.
On Tuesday, December 27, Wednesday, December 28, Thursday, December 29 and Friday, December 30, the trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule with certain morning peak period trains cancelled and additional mid-to-late morning service on each line. Rail customers are encouraged to visit njtransit.com for details and travel before 9 a.m. on these days, if possible, when ridership is lighter. Buses and light rail lines will operate on a weekday schedule. Select PABT bus routes will have more frequent service operating inbound to PABT on some lines during the late morning hours and outbound from PABT during the early and late evening hours. Consult a timetable or visit njtransit.com/Bus Holiday Service Guide for details.
On New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31, trains will operate on a weekend schedule. In the evening, there will be extra train service to New York. Special printable schedules that cover the period from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 6 a.m. on New Year’s morning are available at njtransit.com.
Buses will operate on a Saturday schedule with extra early evening service inbound and extra outbound from PABT after midnight on select routes. Customers are advised to consult a timetable or visit njtransit.com/Bus Holiday Service Guide for more details.
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Newark Light Rail and River LINE will operate on a Saturday schedule. River LINE and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will both operate some additional trips on a ‘load and go’ capacity after the fireworks displays during the early hours of January 1.
IMPORTANT NOTE: No open containers of alcohol will be permitted on board trains, buses or light rail vehicles or in any NJ TRANSIT facility on New Year’s Eve and after midnight on New Year’s Day. This policy will be strictly enforced.
After midnight (early January 1), additional late-night trains will operate on most rail lines with one-seat ride service available on certain Raritan Valley Line and North Jersey Coast Line trains. Some trains that normally depart New York/Hoboken/Newark between midnight and 1 a.m. are cancelled and will be replaced with later trains. Customers should visit njtransit.com for details, including special printable schedules that cover the period from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 6 a.m. on New Year’s morning. Expanded bus service will be provided from the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) until approximately 2 a.m. Some routes will be departing from alternate areas within the PABT. Visit njtransit.com/Bus Holiday Service Guide for specific schedule details and departure gate assignments.
On New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1, after 5 a.m., trains will operate on a weekend schedule. In addition, Meadowlands service will operate for the Jets vs. Bills game. Customers should visit njtransit.com for more details. River LINE will operate on a Sunday schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Buses will operate on a Sunday schedule. Customers are advised to visit njtransit.com for details.
On Monday, January 2 (observed), trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule on all lines with additional morning and evening peak trains on most lines. Customers should visit njtransit.com for details. Most bus routes will operate on a Saturday schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule. River LINE will operate on a Sunday schedule. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Consult njtransit.com for additional details.
Travel tips
Check Schedules in Advance: Plan your trip online to take advantage of extra trains and buses.
Travel Early: On December 27-30, NJ TRANSIT rail lines will operate on a modified weekday schedule. Avoid the crowds by traveling during the traditional peak-period (6-9 a.m.) when ridership is light.
Allow Extra Travel Time: Traffic congestion during the holidays may affect bus travel times to and from New York City, so customers should plan accordingly.
Ticketing: Purchase round-trip tickets at the start of your trip to speed your return and use the NJ TRANSIT mobile app, which is available for free download on any web-enabled iOS or Android device, to make the purchase even easier. To make a purchase, customers simply install the app and then create an account, which will securely save a customer’s profile information and purchase history for ease of use. Customers can also use ticket vending machines or see a ticket agent, if available, to avoid possible surcharges. Reminder: Bus customers departing Port Authority Bus Terminal must purchase tickets before boarding.
Luggage: Travel as light as possible. Passengers with luggage or packages should use the overhead racks or designated luggage spaces. On multilevel trains, customers with large bags should use the mezzanine levels at the ends of each car.
